Mirpur: After initially stumbling in the chase of 205, Sri Lanka eventually beat Bangladesh by 3 wickets. Sri Lanka chased down the target of 205 losing 7 wickets. Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews played a match winning knock of 74.
Chasing 205 runs to win this game, Sri Lanka found themselves in trouble. By the end of 15 overs, Sri Lanka lost 4 wickets with just 48 runs on the board. Al-Amin Hussain took 2 wickets and Ziaur Rehman got Priyanjan out while Mahela Jayawardene was run-out without opening his account.
Bangladesh batsmen failed to replicate the performance they put against Pakistan on Tuesday. While their openers were once again involved in a 50-plus partnership, the middle order could not handle what Sri Lankan bowlers dished out. In the end, Bangladesh scored 204 runs in 50 overs losing 9 wickets.
Sri Lanka dismissed half of the Bangladesh side by the end of 40 overs. Sri Lankan spinners — Ajantha Mendis, Ashan Priyanjan and Chaturanga de Silva — shared those wickets. For Bangladesh, Anamul Haque scored 49 runs.
Bangladesh made a solid start to their last game at the ongoing Asia Cup. The opening pair of Shamsur Rahman and Anamul Haque put up 62 runs on the board in the first 15 overs.
Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss and elected to bat first in his team's final Asia Cup match Thursday against Sri Lanka at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Bangladesh made three changes to the squad that lost to the Pakistan by three wickets Tuesday. Imrul Kayes, Abdur Razzak and Shafiul Islam were replaced by Shamsur Rahman, Arafat Sunny and Rubel Hossain.
Sri Lanka made two changes to its squad, with Sachitra Senanayake and Ashan Priyanjan coming in at the expense of Dinesh Chandimal and Lasith Malinga. Sri Lanka won its three previous matches to qualify for the final, while Bangladesh are yet to win a game.
Lineups:
Bangladesh: Shamsur Rahman, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Ziaur Rahman, Mahmudullah, Arafat Sunny, Rubel Hossain, Al-Amin Hossain
Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Ashan Priyanjan, Angelo Mathews (captain), Chaturanga de Silva, Thisara Perera, Sachitra Senanayake, Ajantha Mendis, Suranga Lakmal
